A Shot In the Dark
Chapter Historian Abigail Hemphill and member Giselle Lewis are selling emblems at the local Tractor Supply Company.
Watt is going on?
No, seriously. On Feb. 20, if one looked at the agriculture classrooms at Lassen High School, they probably would have thought there was no school that day. However, there was. But the power was out in two of the ag classrooms, and the greenhouse—filled with recently planted seedlings—was also out.
Susanville FFA was quite literally in the dark.
During other times of the year, this may not seem important. However, just days before the power went out, Susanville was hit with a massive snowstorm, leaving about a foot of snow on campus and cold classrooms, which were prone to pipes cracking. With the snowstorm and countless late starts, planning for National FFA Week committees rapidly became a challenge. All the supplies needed for committees to fulfill their duties remained in the dark classrooms, and ag teachers were forced to teach elsewhere on campus until the power grid supplying the ag classrooms was repaired.
Despite these difficulties, many people in Susanville FFA learned to adapt and overcome adversity. On Monday, three of the chapter’s FFA Week committees were already hard at work. On Sunday, Joseph Phan and Savannah Duncan chaired the FFA emblem sale at the local Susanville FFA’s tractor supply to raise money for local chapters. Seven FFA members spent their day in shifts working to advocate for agriculture and gain support from the community. On Jan. 23, Susanville FFA Secretary Sam Medvin and members John Ammon and Arwen Adams cut out ag facts and delivered snacks to teachers and staff across campus before school, informing them about commodities they consume in their everyday life in a delicious way.
An ag fact given to staff.
A Senior Appreciation Lunch was held in the welding shop.
The senior appreciation lunch in the welding shop.
Simultaneously, a Purple Pinkies fundraiser that goes all week long was held in the student center. All students on campus had the opportunity to donate their extra change to help distribute polio vaccines to children in need. This fundraiser was run by Susanville FFA Reporter Troy Ross and member Mary Trisler, under Chairman Samantha Medvin. Other Susanville FFA members plan to complete shifts throughout the rest of the week. Monday also marked the beginning of FFA Week spirit days, during which members were encouraged to wear Boots, Twisted xs, or Heydudes to earn FFA points.
So, while the week may have gotten off to a shaky start, Susanville FFA members have learned that sometimes you have to be planted in the dark to grow toward the light, and will continue to do so throughout the week.
